#usually i make things with a purpose but this time i really just wanted to draw amit and sammy again LOL

[okwonyo]

SUGAR TALKING ꒪ ✿⠀ making doe eyes at them.

TESTI ────── 𝗌𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗍 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖾𝗒𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇 𝗆𝖾, 𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗂𝖺𝗅 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗎𝖺𝗀𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾. 𝗅𝖾𝗍’𝗌 𝗍𝖺𝗅𝗄 !

❪ 日语 ❫ & fem!rea 1OOO fluff established relationship non-idol au ❜ skinship kissing ◜‿◝ REBLOGS&CLICK

지아 ⠀⦂⠀ since it won the poll :O

HEESEUNG

usually, he isn’t the the type to talk too much during movie nights. his hand always in yours as he watches the movie enthusiastically, never missing one bit of it.

but today it seems different— you don’t really know if it’s either because he is very passionate about this specific actor or if it’s because you called the said actor ‘hot’. but he won’t stop talking.

“seriously!” he huffs after a few seconds of calm. he smiles and shakes his head in fake nonchalance, “i don’t understand what he has that i don’t. do you prefe—”

the rest of his sentence dies in his throat when his eyes meet yours. you look at him wide eyed, with a little pout that makes his heart skip.

“shut up please,” you ask with a honey coat voice— his eyes grow wide. he is soon giggling, leaning on you, as if what you just said wasn’t almost an insult.

at least he stops talking.

⠀ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ﹙ᵕ ᵕ⠀look under the cut ! ♡

JAY

it is not a secret that you can get anything you want out of him. whether it’s his money or the entire world— you ask and you shall receive.

therefore, you don’t need to do anything else but ask for something that you want. because you know you got him wrapped around your finger. and that, if you wanted the moon, then you will have the moon.

sometimes, however, there is things that can’t be bought or that are hard to ask for. today, you want his attention.

you decided to not go bother him as you usually do. no, you choose to stare at him from across the room with the most bambi looking eyes you could manage. he should have noticed by now.

the long silence is what alarms him. he looks over you quickly, “are you—” then he looks again and his mouth falls agape. he sighs fondly, “c’mere, baby,”

JAKE

it’s not your fault. it really isn’t. he shouldn’t have been so easy to tease in the first place. getting a blush out of him is too easy and he is way too lovely for you to control yourself.

and ever since he confessed that he loved when you looked at him with those yes— you cannot stop looking at him with those eyes.

for a while, he is too occupied on his phone to even notice. but when his eyes shoots up to meet yours, he immediately smiles.

instinctively biting his lower lip, he stays silent for a while before throwing his head back and whining, “stop doing that!”

your eyes keep watching his growing blush as you laugh, “like what?” and he groans.

SUNGHON

he swears you do it all the time, but the truth is that you don’t even know what he is talking about. he mays affirm that you play dumb in purpose— you don’t, you really don’t.

the thing is that, he would say that you are trying to seduce him whenever you try to do anything. you run a hand through you hair? you want to make out. you grin? you want him to kiss you.

you just assumed he was that down bad.

“you are playing with me,” he smirks, looking down at you. your bodies moves along with the train you are standing in. you were already looking at him, but now there is confusion in your eyes. “don’t look at me like that.”

“what?” you giggle. honestly, you didn’t even know you were looking at him. admiring him is natural as breathing to you, “are you crazy?”

“when you look at me like that,” he whispers as he leans in. your arms are hugging his waist, your head is all the way titled up and he is so handsome, “my heart beats with need.”

SUNOO

you know he doesn’t get mad often— even if he does act like he is. he is too much of a softie to even think of being annoyed with you.

more times than not, he gets sulky. lips puckered as he gives you the silent treatment. it is always for silly things, however, just because he loves when you ask him to talk to you.

“i love you,” you tell him, holding onto his arm. he doesn’t do anything, obviously hiding his smile—and failing. “look at me.”

he takes a deep breath before bringing his focus on your instead of the dishes in front of him. his eyes fall into yours, “stop,” he says. turning red.

he tries to keep his annoyed attitude as hard as possible. he starts to take care of the dishes in the sink again— as if, trying to distract himself.

he keeps peeking at you. unable to control himself, he ends up crumbling. he hides his face in the crook of your neck in embarrassment.

JUNWGON

“my love, i’ll have to go eventually,” his tone is soft, his chuckles makes it harder for you to even consider letting him leave the bed and let him leave you.

he is not even gone. he is sitting on the edge of the bed, watching you. you hold his hand with both of yours— chasing after his warmth that you already miss.

you don’t really care where he is going, you want him here. you make the most adorable eyes you can put up, in a tiny voice you say, “can’t you stay a little longer?”

he seems a tad taken aback. on of his eyebrows shots up ever so slightly. pretty red lips forms a ‘o’ and his dimples smiles when he smiles.

gets back under the cover, close to you. he kisses you gently, “work can wait.”

RIKI

“leave me alone!” your boyfriend whines, faking annoyance. he is laying on your bed, next to your plushies, with his hands on your hips as you sit on

him. he acts like he wants to push you away but his grip is way too strong.

he gets up, rather abruptly, making you settle on his laps. he makes sure you are as comfortable as possible but holds your wrists when you try to reach his hair.

“just a few!” giggles makes your voice tremble. you try to get out of his handle but you can’t— he is much stronger that you, “please!”

he looks at the hello kitty hairpins in your hands with narrowed eyes. he doesn’t look against the idea at all, you know he just fights because of principle, “no!”

you tilt your head to the side slightly, the prettiest pout appearing on your lips. you look at him with a specific look— the one who made him choked on his drink the first time. “please, for me,”

you are already wearing a victorious grin as soon as he groans. he ends up with more than just a few hairpins in his hair.

taglist open + net— @sgz-net

[moonlight-joy]

Just a Little Longer

Fandom: Kraven the hunter

Summary: You ask Sergei to stay, voicing your fear of losing him. Reluctantly, he agrees, breaking through his guarded nature. In the warmth of the firelit cabin, you share a rare, vulnerable moment, finding solace in his protective embrace as the world fades away for one peaceful night.

Pairing: Reader/Sergei Kravinoff

“Before you go, can you stay a little longer?” your voice broke through the stillness, softer than you intended, yet filled with an unmistakable plea. Sergei paused mid-motion, his broad shoulders tense as he turned to face you. His piercing gaze, usually so guarded, softened slightly at the edges as he studied your expression.

“Why?” he asked, his voice a low rumble, as if testing the waters of your request.

You hesitated, unsure how to explain the ache in your chest, the unspoken fear of watching him walk out that door again. The room was dimly lit, the fire in the hearth casting flickering shadows across his sharp features. He stood near the doorway, his gear slung over one shoulder, the essence of a man always prepared to face whatever the world threw at him.

“Because I… I just need you to stay,” you admitted, your voice trembling slightly. “Just for a little while. Please.”

Sergei’s expression shifted, a flicker of something unnameable crossing his face. He set his gear down with deliberate slowness, as though giving himself time to consider your words. When he finally straightened, he closed the distance between you with a few long strides.

“You know I don’t stay in one place for long,” he said, his voice quieter now but still holding that firm edge of truth. “It’s not safe.”

“And out there is?” you countered, gesturing vaguely to the window. “You’re always on the move, always chasing or being chased. Just this once, can’t you let the world wait?”

His lips pressed into a thin line as he regarded you, a battle waging behind his eyes. Sergei was a man of action, a hunter who thrived on movement and purpose. Yet here you were, asking him to do the one thing he struggled with most: pause.

“What’s this really about?” he asked, his tone softening. “Tell me.”

You exhaled shakily, looking down at your hands as you tried to find the right words. “Every time you leave, I… I wonder if it’s the last time I’ll see you. If this will be the hunt you don’t come back from.” Your voice faltered, but you pushed on. “I just… I don’t want to say goodbye again, not tonight.”

Sergei’s expression softened further, and he reached out, his large hand gently tilting your chin upward so your eyes met his. “I always come back,” he said, his voice a low, steady promise.

“But for how long?” you whispered. “One day, you won’t. And I… I don’t know what I’d do then.”

The weight of your words hung heavy between you, and for once, Sergei had no immediate reply. Instead, he pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly against his chest. His embrace was firm, grounding, and spoke of things he often left unsaid.

“I’ll stay,” he said after a long moment, his voice rough but resolute. “Tonight, I’ll stay.”

You closed your eyes, relief washing over you as you clung to him. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your ear was a comfort, a reminder that, for now, he was here. For now, the world outside could wait.

The fire burned low in the hearth as the two of you sat together on the worn couch. Sergei had shed his gear, leaving it in a neat pile by the door, and now leaned back with one arm draped over the backrest. You sat beside him, your legs tucked under you, the warmth of the fire and his presence lulling you into a rare sense of peace.

“You’re not used to asking for things,” Sergei said after a while, his voice breaking the comfortable silence.

You glanced at him, startled by the observation. “What makes you say that?”

He gave a small, knowing smile. “You hesitate. Like you’re afraid of what the answer might be.”

“Maybe I am,” you admitted, your voice quiet. “You’re not exactly predictable, Sergei. Sometimes I feel like you’re here one moment and gone the next.”

He didn’t deny it, instead nodding thoughtfully. “The life I lead doesn’t leave much room for staying still. But you…” He trailed off, his gaze turning thoughtful. “You’re different. You make me think about things I haven’t thought about in years.”

Your heart skipped a beat at his words. “Is that a good thing?”

“It scares me,” he admitted, his honesty catching you off guard. “But maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”

The vulnerability in his voice was rare, and it made you reach for his hand instinctively. He let you take it, his calloused fingers wrapping gently around yours.

“You don’t have to be afraid with me,” you said softly. “I’m not going anywhere. Not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever.”

He squeezed your hand lightly, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. “You’re braver than I am,” he said, his tone carrying a touch of wonder.

“No,” you replied with a small smile. “I just know what’s worth fighting for.”

For a while, neither of you spoke, content to sit in the quiet comfort of each other’s presence. The firelight danced across the walls, casting a warm glow over the room, and the world beyond the cabin seemed to fade away.

As the night deepened, Sergei stretched out on the couch, his head resting against the armrest. You found yourself lying beside him, your head on his chest and his arm draped protectively around you. The steady rise and fall of his breathing was soothing, and you felt yourself drifting closer to sleep.

“Thank you,” you murmured drowsily, your voice barely above a whisper.

“For what?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

“For staying,” you replied. “For giving me this.”

He was silent for a moment, then pressed a kiss to the top of your head. “Always,” he said quietly.

And in that moment, with the warmth of the fire and the steady beat of Sergei’s heart beneath your ear, you felt a rare sense of contentment. The world could wait, just a little longer.

[the-crooked-library]

I would like to point out how clearly remake shows us that Ellen is not satisfied with Thomas sexually because their sex scene which is shot to be not sexy on purpose clearly, also shows us that when Thomas takes her Ellen thinks and talks about Orlok and wants Thomas to be like Orlok aka kiss her heart. But he can’t. He can’t give her what she wants.

^^^^ YES this aspect is incredibly prominent, and a significant component of the disconnect in Ellen's marriage to Thomas! There's a few intersecting issues there, but they all do come down to the same thing. Ellen isn't satisfied, because Thomas is never willing to actually take her desires and preferences into account when they are together.

It's shown numerous times that, in a sexual context, Ellen wants to be worshipped. She has a dominant and possessive streak, she is extremely sensual, and these elements are essential to her pleasure. They also intersect with her desire to be seen and recognized for who she is, as well to be given the respect she is so consistently denied. These desires are all strongly discouraged - both in her time, and sometimes in ours. As a woman, she is expected to be deferring; and chaste, except for when her husband chooses. Her opinions and complexity are also never really considered; which is not unexpected, of course. Ellen is a Tragic Madwoman - it's Ophelia, all over again. If you recall, when Hamlet appears mad, the people around him assume there is more to it than his father's death; but when Ophelia does, everybody chalks it up to her father's murder, and nothing else. With all that said, what I personally love about Ellen is that, despite whatever shame she might feel around the subject, or her efforts to be proper, she always knows exactly what she wants. In part, that's what makes her married life so tragic - she keeps reaching out to Thomas, offering him these vulnerable aspects of herself, as well as an opportunity to understand her and connect with her; and she is met with one rejection after another. Still, she cannot ignore what she is - and her choosing Orlok in the end is symbolic of her deciding to "deceive" herself no longer.

Thomas, by contrast, is playing mind games with himself. In theory, he could be submissive. If he indulged that potential within himself, it could be a way for them to connect - considering Ellen's inclinations; however, he sees this aspect of himself as weak, emasculating, shameful, and thus never explores it - except by force, as per the usual gothic exploration of shame/desire, which muddles the waters in that regard. Much of the way he treats Ellen is rooted in the patriarchal rules he cannot bring himself to abandon, since doing so threatens his own sense of masculinity - and, by extension, dignity and self-worth. As such, whenever faced with a situation that might prompt him to be soft, emotional, or worshipful of her, he overcorrects instead. He is afraid of Ellen's perceived "abnormality" because of what it might mean for him. Additionally, he is fairly obviously queercoded, in a classic vampire-genre way; which, in my opinion, is yet another reason they just don't quite seem to click. Whatever he might want out of a sexual relationship, he doesn't really want it with Ellen - and, of course, given his homophobic society, that just piles on more shame, emasculation, and repression. This is why, after their one depicted sexual scene, when she laments her "uncleanliness," he cannot reassure her, no matter how he tries. He cannot accept the "abnormal" aspects of her, because the way he sees her is always affected by the way he sees himself - through a lens of misogyny, queerphobia, and horror. His care for her is therefore largely superficial; he does not know her.

All in all, I am obsessed with this aspect of their failmarriage. They're both so lonely and so desperate for companionship; but neither of them is getting what they want. Not with each other.

[urgardenandmine]

parker's lab buddy 🕷 (pt. ii) - p. parker

summary: parker and his new bestie have a rocky second meeting genre: fluff (kinda...?) pairing: m!reader x peter parker (spider-man, hehe) word count: 1.5K part one here!

this moment was the moment many had dreamed of. the moment they all thrived to hold out to. as they flooded the room, the sound of many was almost to some dissonant, yet to others, was the sound of their comrades who they hadn’t seen in almost ages. the feeling of the luminescent lights was cold, as they had no purpose other than to shine the light towards what they all coveted in this exact moment. 

the sunlight pouring through the glass panes of the room had warmed the skin of many. in the field of children, there were some who had chosen to embrace the warmth as the sun had reached its peak. to the others, they hid themselves from the glowing orb of star power, deeming it a nuisance. some had found it redundant, being tortured by the lights up above and the double team of the light from outside yet they had no choice in the matter.

as he made their way through the crowd of brash and reckless persons, he had lined up to the front of the line, ready to bear the question thrown at him by the one who had it all…

“apple or orange.” the lunch lady deadpanned.

“oh, uh, apple please.” peter had answered softly, showing off his usual kind smile. the lady sighed, grabbing the apple with her gloved hand and had placed it on his tray. peter stared down at it, nodding as he mouthed a small “thank you” before following down the line of students in the cafeteria. ned was in front, since he wanted to talk to betty. she hasn’t really given him the time of day due to this new “story” she was working on, which was who was the mysterious intruder who breaks into the school’s trash can every night. 

as they left the end of the line, ned and peter had made their way to their usual table in the far back. 

“i think it’s a raccoon but whatever…” ned mumbled, causing peter to chuckle softly.  

“well, what if it’s a new villain?” peter teased, nudging ned as they sat down. ned then dropped his jaw, letting out a loud gasp as he began to beam with delight. 

“you think so?” ned hoped, sitting closer to peter than he would’ve liked. peter scooted away as he began to slink off his backpack to place beside him, stifling a small snort. 

“it’s probably a opossum or a raccoon. if it were a villain, i’d k-”

as the words left his mouth, he could feel the same sensation as from before. the hairs on his nape began to stand on end, and so did the hairs on his arm. they stood up straight, as if they themselves were on high alert. he could his feel the back of his skull tingle, as if he was in active combat now. he still had no understanding of how his “peter tingle” (™ by happy himself) worked but he knew that when it was on, he needed to do whatever it took to help himself and those around him. peter gulped, fearing his first day back at school was going to be thrown into a full-on brawl. 

his eyes began to scan the cafeteria, seemingly making marks of those who seemed suspicious but it was almost useless as he knew most of the faces in the room. he saw one of the band kids who he thought was suspicious but in reality, he knew that kid was probably just hiding his newest self-made contraption in his backpack. 

dismissing what he thought was danger, he brought his head down to his food. as he was going to take a bite of his so-called “burger,” he heard the doors open and he had seen the one who had been the cause of his first tingle (he really needs a new name for this whole thing). 

looking at the denim colored doors opening, he had taken note of the boy who was eyeing everyone himself. the boy seemed more nervous than most students would be on their first days. he had a certain energy around him, which made peter feel somewhat uneasy. peter shifted in his seat, eyeing the other one closely. the boy had made his way down the line of food, picking the usual things everyone else would get. as he finished his selection, he made his way down the aisles of cliques and groups, he could feel that the boy was getting a bunch of stares as well but for another reason. 

ned had noticed the connection of peter’s gaze towards the boy, sensing some “tension.” ned, looking over to the boy who was still walking, waved him over. peter turned to ned immediately, smacking his arm gently. 

“ned! no! what are you doing?!” he hushed, causing ned to smack him back. peter, taken aback, began to smack peter back lightly. after taking a beat, the boys began to slap each other silly like two five year old kids. hearing a faint chuckle from the other side of the table. they both froze in their tracks, the brunette boy looking over to seeing his lab partner from before. 

the boy looked at the two, intaking the sight of two simple teenage boys. he sat down, removing his black backpack from his shoulders as he dusted off his pants, setting down his tray with one hand as the backpack slipped off his other arm. peter coughed softly, as ned fixed his shirt and sat up right, clasping his hands in front of him as he looked at the two. the new boy was in front of peter, and peter looked down at his tray, fiddling with his water bottle. ned’s eyes darted between them, letting out a loud exhale as he then inhaled and spoke.

“hi! i’m ned and this is-”

“peter. i know.” he spoke. peter’s head lifted immediately, almost now on edge as he cleared his throat.

“how do you know my name…” 

the boy eyed him, staring at him before he let out a sheepish chuckle. he scratched the back of his neck, fidgeting gently.

“um, we were lab partners…?” the boy answered, chuckling as he took a small sip of his water bottle. peter relaxed, feeling a bit embarrassed as he slouched, turned his attention to his hands to distract himself from the small mistake he just made. the boy smiled, his [l/c] lips turning upwards as he eyed the boy in front of him. 

ned eyed peter, seeing him act funny. ned, thinking it was of the “hearty” nature, smiled softly as he had a plan in mind. ned had taken out his phone and had feigned a phone call, making sure it was loud enough for them both to hear.

“oh, what’s that, mom? you have my lunch at the front office? o-okay! i’ll come right away!” ned played, causing the two other boys to look at ned as he slowly got up from the table and grabbed his backpack.

“my mom packed my lunch so i should probably go get it!”

peter’s eyes darted from ned to his tray, a finger lifting to point at the food in front of him, “but you-”

“gotta go!” ned spat, before rushing out with an orange in his hand. as he darted off, the two boys stared at one another. the other boy chuckled, looking down at his food as he opened a small juice box. peter nodded, looking away as he smiled at the [h/c] boy, trying to deescalate the weird “tension.” the boy chuckled, before getting up and grabbing his juice with him and his fruit.

“i think i’m gonna go…check out the restrooms.” he informed him softly, waving shyly as he made his way towards the doors behind peter to head towards the restrooms. peter’s head followed him, seeing him leave as he then was now alone at the table. he looked around him, seeing the two empty trays as he sighed, getting up and grabbing his food to follow the new boy (which doesn’t seem weird at all, peter). 

as he entered the halls, he saw it littered with some students who were hanging out with their friends. grumbling softly to himself, peter made his way down the hall to find the nearest restroom he could. having seen how the boy had excused himself, peter felt his “peter tingle” was incorrect and maybe it was something else. i mean, what harm can another teenage boy do? spread a rumor?

reaching the restroom, peter had opened the door slowly. hearing a faint voice talking, peter made sure to not be a nuisance in the restroom. as the door closed behind him, he could hear only a singular voice, the voice of the boy from before. getting closer to the stall further inside, peter “accidentally” listened in.

“yes, yes, i know. gosh, don’t worry. it’s only the first day of school.” he spoke in a soft manner. peter had a small smirk on his face. hearing the boy possibly talk to his parent or whoever seemed like he was panicking for nothing. 

“trust me, parker won’t know what hit him…”

…that doesn’t sound good.

⋆｡°✩

i hope this a good continuation to my first work for y'all :p

i think i might change the trajectory of this story because i've been making this new guy very...devious

[l/c] = lip color, [h/c] = hair color (i apologize if it looks complicated TT)

[cutesyaddy]

from foes to forever

part three

Min Ho Moon x Reader

a/n: this one’s longer so i hope you enjoy 🙈

summary: (Y/N) is shocked to find herself paired with Min Ho for a semester-long project. As (Y/N) starts to see a deeper side to him, their dynamic begins to shift in ways neither anticipated

——————————

The classroom buzzed with quiet conversations and the occasional shuffle of papers. 

Man, I was really regretting not getting that coffee now.

I slid into an empty seat in the back, grateful no one had yet recognized me from last night. 

Madison assured me that “everyone loves a little drama,” but I wasn’t convinced. I just wanted to get through the day unnoticed.

As I unpacked my notebook and pen, a voice startled me. “Well, if it isn’t KISS’s most famous oaf.” 

I froze, the sound of his smug tone unmistakable. Slowly, I looked up, and there he was—Min Ho, smirking down at me with that same irritating confidence.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath.

He tilted his head, clearly amused. “What’s that? You’re happy to see me?”

“About as happy as I’d be to find gum on my shoe,” I shot back, shifting my bag to the floor. “Why are you here?”

Min Ho smirked, sliding into the empty seat next to mine. “Last I checked, this is my class. Don’t tell me you thought you’d seen the last of me.”

“Wishful thinking,” I muttered, turning my attention to the front of the room.

The professor entered, calling the class to order, and I took a deep breath, determined to focus.

“Welcome, everyone, to Communication Strategies,” the professor began. “To kick things off, we’ll be pairing up for a semester-long project that will count for 40% of your grade.”

I groaned inwardly. Pair projects? The universe really hated me.

The professor’s voice cut through the murmurs in the room. “I’ll be assigning the pairs, so please don’t bother choosing your friends.”

My stomach sank as the professor began reading off names.

“(Y/N) and… Min Ho.”

I nearly choked on air. Of course. Of course.

Min Ho leaned closer, his voice low enough for only me to hear. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, clutz.”

I turned to glare at him, my voice equally quiet. “This isn’t a joke. My grade’s on the line.”

“And you think I’m thrilled about this?” He shot back, his smirk dropping. “Trust me, I’d rather partner with anyone else.”

“Great. Mutual hatred. Should make for a productive semester,” I snapped.

The professor continued pairing up the rest of the class while I stewed in frustration. When he finally dismissed us, Min Ho turned to me, all traces of humor gone.

“Meet me at the library after lunch,” he said curtly.

“What, no snide remark?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not in the mood.” His tone was clipped, and without waiting for a response, he slung his bag over his shoulder and left the room.

I sat there, stunned. I wasn’t sure if I preferred his irritating banter or this sudden, serious version of him. Either way, I wasn’t looking forward to spending more time with Min Ho.

——————

The library was quiet, smelling of old books and fresh coffee. I stood near the entrance, tapping my foot impatiently as I glanced around. Where was he? 

Just as I was about to pull out my phone to check the time, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. I turned, and there he was—Min Ho, walking toward me with a purposeful stride, looking almost... normal. 

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “You’re late.” 

He didn’t even flinch, just tossed his bag onto one of the tables and sat down without a word. “I was busy,” he said, leaning back in the chair and crossing his arms over his chest. 

“Busy with what? Being a jerk?” I retorted, taking a seat across from him, still not quite ready to back down from our usual banter. 

He shot me a sideways glance, his lips twitching slightly. “Would you rather I show up on time and annoy you with even more sarcastic comments?” 

I had to admit that actually wasn’t a bad idea. It was the silence that was making me uneasy. But I wasn’t going to let him know that. 

“So, what’s the deal with this project anyway?” I asked, flipping through the study guide we’d been given earlier. “Do we have to, like... actually get along for this to work?” 

Min Ho leaned forward slightly, his expression serious, and for a brief moment, I saw a different side of him. The playful edge was gone, replaced by something almost... determined. “If we want to pass, yeah. So maybe try not to mess things up this time.” 

My gaze narrowed, but before I could fire back, he slid a piece of paper toward me. 

“There’s a topic list. Pick one, and let’s get this over with,” he said, his voice less teasing and more businesslike now. 

I glanced at the list, but my mind was still trying to process the fact that Min Ho was actually... cooperating? No sarcastic remarks? No snide comments? Just... focus? 

I shook my head, snapping myself out of my thoughts. “Fine, let’s do this,” I said, grabbing the paper and scanning it. 

I picked a topic I knew would at least make the project bearable. “How about we do something on ‘Effective Communication in Conflict Resolution’? You know, since we’re both so good at arguing.” 

Min Ho’s lips curled into a smile, just a touch of amusement returning. “Yeah, you definitely have a lot of experience there.” 

I shot him a glare, but deep down, I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Maybe this wouldn’t be the worst project after all. 

We spent the next hour sorting through materials, occasionally bickering over small things like which angle to approach the topic from or who was going to do the research. But there was something... different. We were both focused, and every so often, I caught myself looking at him without the usual annoyance. 

It was when we started discussing potential sources for the paper that Min Ho actually made a suggestion I didn’t completely hate. 

“You know,” he said, glancing up from the laptop screen, “there’s a study on conflict communication that uses real-world examples. It’s pretty detailed.” 

“Wait, you actually read that stuff?” I asked, genuinely surprised. 

“Not all of us are out there causing accidents and drama, (Y/N),” he said with a smirk. But there was something in his eyes, a flicker of something deeper than his usual cocky exterior. 

I frowned. “You don’t have to be so... whatever you are. We’re working together, remember?” 

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he just looked at me, his expression unreadable. Then, in a tone I didn’t expect, he said, “Yeah. But I’m trying to make this work. For both of us.” 

I didn’t know what to say to that. Min Ho—trying to make something work? My brain couldn't quite process it. I quickly shook it off, letting the weight of the moment slip away. 

“Fine. We’ll use your study. But if you screw up this project, I’m blaming you.” 

He chuckled, his smirk returning. “Of course. That’s what partners are for, right?” 

I rolled my eyes. “Partners? I’m pretty sure you’re just here to make my life more difficult.” 

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Yeah? Well, so are you. It’s a perfect match.” 

——————

The playful bickering carried us through most of the hour. Surprisingly, we were actually making progress—despite the fact that Min Ho couldn’t resist tossing in a snide comment every now and then.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” I said, jotting down notes as he flipped through a textbook, “but you’re actually not the worst partner I’ve ever had.”

He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Don’t get too comfortable. I wouldn’t want you thinking I’m soft or something.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling a little. “Trust me, you’ve got nothing to worry about there.”

For a moment, the conversation stalled. 

The comfortable rhythm of banter quieted as we both turned back to the work in front of us.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he spoke again—his tone softer this time.

“You said last night that I don’t apologize,” he said, his eyes still fixed on the page in front of him.

I froze, my pen hovering above my notebook. “Yeah. And?”

He finally looked up, meeting my gaze. There was something in his expression I hadn’t seen before—something quieter, almost vulnerable. 

“At the airport… I didn’t apologize to that girl because I couldn’t.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his sudden seriousness. 

“What do you mean, you couldn’t?”

He hesitated, the confident mask he always wore slipping just a little. 

“It’s complicated. Let’s just say... there are a lot of expectations when it comes to me. Sometimes it’s easier to play the part people expect than to explain why you’re not what they think.”

I stared at him, unsure of how to respond. This wasn’t the Min Ho I was used to—the arrogant, snarky guy who always had a comeback ready. This was someone else entirely.

“Well,” I said after a pause, my voice softer than I expected, “for what it’s worth, you’re not as one-dimensional as I thought you were.”

He raised an eyebrow, his smirk creeping back into place. “Is that your way of saying you like me?”

I groaned, throwing a crumpled piece of paper at him. “Never mind. I take it back.”

But even as he laughed, the memory of that moment lingered in my mind.

For a split second, I had seen the real Min Ho—a glimpse of someone who wasn’t as perfect or untouchable as he pretended to be.

Maybe there was more to him than I thought.

stay tuned for chapter four 👻

[sparxyv]

Ravenclaw Buddies 💙

would you join them? 😗

[freakinator]

yknow with tthe whole cc!kab rping an actual character rather than just being herself with extra steps thing i should prbs talk about her character in a different way compared to other lsers cause it feels wrong to talk about her in the same way that i do for the others when she plays in such a significantly different way

[kingslionheart]

parents' incapability of apologising to their children should be studied

[egginfroggin]

I usually try not to get too negative on my blog, but I have to say that one thing that I'm worried about with AI art is the possible accusations that could be placed on people with certain artstyles (surrealism, hyperrealism, etc.) that are more prone to the "uncanny valley" effect, or even just artists who are in that midway point where most of a piece looks great but there's a few things that are anatomically questionable.

I think it's fine for people to have suspicions, but I'm worried that people will come to expect things such as progress videos or shots as a given, and that this will intimidate young or new artists, making them feel incredibly pressured to provide things that they shouldn't have to. And, speaking from experience, pressure does not do good things to the creative mind.

I'm worried that people will start seeing inconsistencies or awkward anatomy and immediately react with accusations of AI. It's happening on other platforms, and probably also on Tumblr, and as much as I dislike AI, I think that people need to learn to slow down and really look at something before making that accusation.

What good will stamping out AI with vigor do if innocent artists get caught in the crossfire and stop creating out of fear? What good will it do if the next generation of artists is too scared to share and inspire each other?

Genuinely, I would personally rather deal with AI images existing while still being able to freely share my actual works than I would deal with tiptoeing around very real people who would dismiss my hours of work (and musculoskeletal pain) as worthless and not real. Let artists still be free for goodness' sake.

I can be more thoroughly worded later if anyone asks, and this will probably be sorely misinterpreted, but I just need to get this out and I'm tired.

TLDR: It's fine to be against AI-generated images, but please check yourself and be careful who you accuse of using such technology before you get someone innocent caught up in it. AI-generated art isn't great, and neither is putting down someone's hard work as fake.

[unityrain24]

man i know no one cares but i honestly don't know why they blocked me and it's been bugging me and i miss their blog :( and we weren't like close mutuals but we weren't like distant either. we'd send occasional messages or asks or some other interaction :(

[camping-with-monsters]

A relatively new addition to the cast of Duck Duck Goose, this is the malevolent and ill-tempered Little Bo Peep!

A ruthless little girl of blood and wool, she’s got a thin patience to those that oppose the goal of the sheep. She’s got quite the arsenal around her— a widespread flock of friendly looking little lambs that are much less cutesy when in battle. With relentless little manic sheep that are spotted all over the place, the sheep are spoken to have a vendetta against canine-kind and all things wolf-related, as they’ve grown tired of being thrown around and hunted so mercilessly by all the real big bad wolves of the world. When prey becomes predator, a leader is to be crowned to remind of the motive— and this is where Bo Peep— a girl perfectly fit for the job— comes into play.

Little Bo Peep is the human protector of these wooly little animals, and she’s been crowned to represent what they want— revenge; against all who have ever feasted their chop and harvested their wool. She’s uptight and snobbish— a total brat far too spoiled beyond repair. She makes the utmost perfect host for controlling, frolicking alongside the flock as it continues to flourish and grow. The sheep and their leader are the living proof not to trust all things cute and cuddly. In fact, they’re all proof that trust is a fragile virtue granted and destroyed— all you have to do is look into the gaze of Bo Peep the wrong way and you’ll find yourself with wool over your eyes!

Special thanks to @pazam, @menthum-mint and @shroingushour for some help with ideas for the finalized design! I had a little bit of trouble making her outfit a little more interesting initially, haha!

[keeps-ache]

ggghhg i hate vehiclessssssss ghghghhghhhhh [dies dies dies forever]

[letmetellyouaboutmyfeels]

The I feel like she sees me line being said to Eddie who is the person that truly sees Buck for all that he is. Are we supposed to take this line at face value which would indicate piss poor writing because they needed to rush to a horrible ending or do we take it as Buck being an unreliable narrator? What was the audience supposed to interpret from Buck saying that, were we truly supposed to believe him or we supposed to be pissed at Buck for saying this to the one person that truly sees Buck?

Good morning to me, I guess.

I'm assuming you haven't really seen people's reactions in the fandom on tumblr because I feel like I saw this said in quite a few posts going around, but you are absolutely not supposed to take this line at face value. I'm surprised that people think you should. 9-1-1 has from the beginning had a habit of turning friendships into romantic relationships (Bathena and Madney) and taking their time with these things rather than having an instalove situation. Even Karen and Hen, who meet when they're set up on a date together, don't instantly fall in love. I do not think they would set Eddie or Buck up for an endgame relationship with a woman by having them date that woman immediately, even if they didn't plan to make Buddie canon.

Buck is clearly struggling post-death. He's lost and once again looking for the answer from a romantic partner. He did a lot of growth in regards to his family relationships this season but not his romantic ones. Remember, his couch ended up destroyed and he asked his latest girlfriend to pick the new one out for him. Again. He's still not picking his own damn couch. After being unable to sleep on the one his mom gave him but passed out instantly on Eddie's where he ran to feel safe.

If people think this is all, somehow, an accident or the writers are doing this without knowing what they're doing, then I can't help you. Do you also think the symbolism I put into my fanfics are a total accident? Do you guys think I picked the name of the poem "Fuchsia Emerald Alizarin Rose" just because the colors are fun and they accidentally spell out F.E.A.R. or do you think maybe I did that absolutely 100% on purpose and was waiting for someone to realize?

Buck saying that to Eddie is 100% supposed to make the audience raise their eyebrows. Especially when we see Eddie's reaction. He's confused and he's hurt and he's annoyed. Eddie then spends his next few lines showing Buck (and us) that he sees Buck. Buck misses it, it goes right over his head, but the audience is shown that Buck is wrong and Eddie sees him.

I think there was a lot of internal stuff going on behind the scenes way high up the ladder that meant Buddie didn't happen this season. No, I don't mean that in a tinhatting way, I just mean that they knew Fox wouldn't renew them, they didn't know if they'd get picked up somewhere else, Fox hasn't promoted or cared about this show the way it has its other shows in a while, and I think it's pretty clear there was shuffling and changes going on with 6B. So I think things had to be put off. Similar to the pandemic, where I genuinely wonder what kind of season four we would've gotten if we'd had the full 18 episodes and hadn't had to work around Covid. I think that when we know there was a big shift going on behind the scenes, we need to have some grace and patience in how that will effect the story that's told on screen.

But I think that this default to "everything good we see on our screens is an accident and the writers are making shitty choices" is a horrible bad faith argument, and it's exhausting. Aren't you exhausted? I'm exhausted. Fandom shouldn't treat the writing and production team like their enemies any more than the writing and production team should treat the fans like their enemies in some kind of war they have to win (looking at you, GoT showrunners).

We are supposed to be annoyed that Buck is missing the point. We are supposed to see Buck's yearning to be a husband and a father, and how he's missing what's right in front of him. We are supposed to put two and two together and see that Eddie was hurt by Buck's words, that Eddie sees Buck, that Eddie is Buck's safe place, and that Eddie in that moment decided he might not have a chance with Buck and needs to move on, because previously we saw Eddie admit he wants romance again but he doesn't want to go out on dates, we saw his aunt say she met her husband through work, we saw him say 'we have time' and then we saw him immediately after Buck tells him about this new girl who "sees him" flee to visit his mother and then immediately actually try dating. On a meta level this is also because Eddie needs confidence in himself as a romantic partner and needs some more experience under his belt before he's ready to take the plunge with Buck, but in Eddie's mind, I think it's pretty clear he feels Buck will never want him back and he's trying to find the love he wants somewhere else, even if his heart is still Buck's.

So that's what I think. I think it's not explicitly spelled out for a few reasons, but frankly if one of them was a woman we wouldn't need it explicitly spelled out and personally I kinda like that it's not. Something that annoys me with M/F pairings is the constant "we all know you two like each other" talks from third parties that half the time aren't about the characters but are about the audience, to either tell the audience SEE THEY LIKE EACH OTHER THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT or to give the audience some fanservice while the characters aren't ready to get together. I don't need to be pandered to that way, thank you, so I'm a fan of the slightly more subtle approach that I, personally, see going on with Buddie.

If you or anyone else disagrees with me and feels it was just "piss poor writing" then that's entirely your right. I'd just appreciate it if people who feel that way would stop watching the show, and stop putting their complaints into the inboxes of people who clearly do enjoy the show.

TL;DR - You answered your own question, Buck is an unreliable narrator (and always has been) and we are supposed to be frustrated he said this to Eddie who has proven time and again (and does so in that very scene) that he sees Buck.

[sabraeal]

hii, I’m still the hakuouki anon, i do like sanan but I agree with you that he’s inconsistent and it’s a shame (the thing I actually disliked the most about his route though was kodo just randomly trying to redeem himself like he was talking about locking chizuru up for life then changed his mind?? lmao) Would be interested to know what felt groomy in his route if you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts!! your fave is yamazaki ofc but do you have any other faves? sorry for the rant, hope u have or had a nice day💗💗

I don't actually really care to talk about it, no! I've played his route twice, the last time in 2021, and didn't enjoy it either time, and that's enough for me. I don't really need to relive it through discourse.

Favorite routes is a hard question because I feel like when people ask, it's because they're assuming you self-ship, when I am really just here to make my dolls kiss 🤣My favorite routes are typically the ones where the MC vibes well with the LI, or at least there is a good STORY attached to it. So Yamazaki is my #1 because he's the one route where I feel like Chizuru is seen as a peer rather than like...precious cargo. But there's definitely a few others I really like!

Shinpachi-- the whole set up with them trying to do a whole big brother/little sister relationship that instantly falls apart because the lack of sexual expectation makes them emotionally vulnerable? Chef's kiss 10/10 trope, wish it didn't have the sulk cabin but what can you do.

Saito-- great slow burn with the perfect demi-panic for Saito when he realizes he has sexual feels for Chizuru. This was my favorite route until I played Yamazaki's a couple routes later

Kazama-- after bracing myself for an unapologetic villain fucker route, was pleasantly surprise to find out that his EB vibe is "dog who caught the car." He's got Chizuru and has no idea what to do with her, end up following her to the ends of the earth (aka hokkaido) so that she can have closure

Ryouma-- not actually a great fit for Chizuru, but him and Nakaoka are the best looking men in the game, and the spy vs spy romance Ryouma thought they were living vs Chizuru actually being oblivious was a JOY.

I also enjoyed Heisuke, even though his route overall didn't have the same pull for me the other ones did. Corgis in love vibes are impeccable, but I feel like Yamazaki's route did the whole "shinsengumi's worst soldier" with more emotional stakes, there's a whole chapter that is just retreading angst so that Chizuru and Heisuke don't get together too soon, which honestly would have been the superior choice. It DOES give us the BEST Kazama though, and Kazama/Sen, which kept me well fed through the last half of EB.

[megarywrites]

idk why it took my so long to realize this today but the part I wrote earlier makes a good parallel between Thalera's developing relationship and the relationship of Thala's parents, which is something that I'm trying to do (to demonstrate their compatibility and eventual longevity once they're together) but while I was writing it earlier it didn't even cross my mind lol

[honey-tongued-devil]

[Arcane preference] reacting to someone flirting with their s/o + jealousness

I'll be honest, I had like four headcanons on jealousy (and five on pregnancy, curse on you and your baby fever), so making this headcanon became a priority. Plus, I tried to make it a bit longer. As usual, under the "read more" line, you'll find both my other project for Arcane (a series of vintage-style posters) and my other socials in case you want to follow me because you love me too much.

socials: | INPRNT | | Tip Jar | | X | | BlueSky |

poster: | Jayce poster | | Silco poster 1| | Silco poster 2| |Silco poster 3| | Steb poster |

Jayce:

- He’s not the type to cause a scene, nor is he the aggressive kind.  

- When someone flirts with you in front of him for the first time, he’s confused for a few seconds.  

- The problem begins when the thought starts settling, stagnating, thickening like sediment at the bottom of a bottle. Was the person really hitting on you, or is he just being paranoid?  

- Did they not realize you were together? Or did they do it on purpose?  

- It doesn’t take long for him to start ignoring you, not even on purpose—he suddenly forgets he’s a scientist, a successful adult man, and spirals into a crisis.  

- What if he’s not enough? What if that person realized before him that he wasn’t suited for you?  

- You notice something’s off, but he doesn’t say a word. If it happens again, his fists clench, he feels like the world is collapsing on him, and if it persists, he leaves without even thinking.  

- He doesn’t want to witness that scene; he’s terrified that you might accept the flirtation, that you’ll realize he’s not good enough for you.  

- And if you’re going to leave him, he doesn’t want to see it with his own eyes.  

- Eventually, he’ll be the one to bring up the subject, just to tell you that if you’re tired of him, he won’t hold it against you and that he understands.  

- It’s not true, but he wants to seem mature. He wants to be a good partner until the end and almost breaks down when you reassure him that you don’t want to leave him, that he is enough.

 Viktor:

- Pre-"Arcane s1-tamed" Viktor would snap at the person flirting with you or insult them under his breath.  

- In the wrong moment, with enough alcohol in his system, his reaction could even turn violent.  

- Viktor gets jealous with anger—a mix of fear of being mocked, the lack of control over the situation, and his sense of replaceability set him off.  

- But he’s also an adult. He’ll try to make peace with himself before talking to you about it.  

- Post-"Arcane-tamed" Viktor observes you, tries to read your signals. He’s irritated but keeps calm and even interrupts the situation, pointing out that the two of you have things to do.  

- He doesn’t wait long to bring it up and is straightforward: “Do you like him?”  

- His jealousy is laced with sadness. The thought of losing your warmth, intimacy, and everything he has with you makes him feel empty.  

- He knows he’s often absent because of his research, that it’s hard to be with someone with “special needs” because it can be limiting at times. He’s aware of his unique personality and his background. His anger quickly shifts to resignation, becoming a quiet sorrow.  

- When you try to reassure him, his response is even sadder: “I know I’m hard to love. I don’t blame you.”  

- When someone hits on you, as soon as you’re alone, he holds you closer. During cuddles, he breathes in your scent deeply, as if trying to memorize you in case he will ever have to remember you.

 Ekko:

- At the Tree, it’s pretty normal. They share everything, and everyone is just very friendly. If someone flirts with you at the Firelight hideout, he laughs, jokes, and stays calm.  

- The problem arises outside of that safe space.  

- When someone from outside flirts with you, he’s stunned for a moment, but if it continues, he leaves before you can even respond.  

- He knows that if he stayed, things might escalate.  

- “I didn’t like how that guy was talking to you,” he blurts out when you try to talk to him, but it’s obvious the issue cuts deeper than that. His tone and downcast eyes reveal that it’s more significant than it seems.  

- Living at the Tree has taken your relationship to a deeper level. You take care of the kids together, share everything, and live as part of a big interconnected family.  

- The idea of someone threatening the peace of his home, his family, makes him feel like those things he takes for granted could suddenly change. 

- That tomorrow, you might no longer be his “married” partner but two strangers.

 Vander:

- Vander is too old to be jealous, and has been in enough strange and ambiguous situations not to overreact.  

- If someone flirts with you, maybe at the bar in front of him, he chuckles to himself, commenting only after the person leaves that you’re so attractive no one can resist you.  

- He doesn’t like it, but it often makes him smile to see others recognize what he sees in you.  

- On the night when someone is particularly persistent or you seem to laugh more than usual, he taps his finger on the bar, contemplating what to do. When he catches your eye, he simply mouths, “If you want to go, don’t worry—I’ll close the bar.”  

- It’s not about being open to a polyamorous relationship, don’t misunderstand. He believes that a relationship should be based on the fact that you actively choose to be with him, not on obligation. That’s why he gives you the freedom to back out if you want.  

- When you shake your head, refuse the other person, and stay with him—maybe touching his hand at the bar when he has a moment of peace—he looks at you with an indescribable tenderness.  

- “I’m glad you’re here with me,” he whispers when you’re finally alone, holding you tightly in his arms.  

Silco:

- On one hand, he’s too old to make a scene, but when he sees someone flirting with you right in front of him, something inside him falters.  

- Being able, after so many years, to form such a deep bond with someone put him in a state of comfort he hadn’t realized might one day be taken away.  

- Suddenly, that possibility becomes real, vivid. Outwardly, he shows no emotion and doesn’t lose his composure for even a moment—because if he did, he might lose control. But inside, he feels like he’s dying.  

- If you laugh a little too much or don’t explicitly reject the person, the turmoil inside him intensifies rapidly.  

- He’s been through too much, and his mind is wired to “strike before being struck,” which is why he immediately becomes colder, seeking emotional distance to avoid being vulnerable.  

- He’s not the king of good communication. If you try to ask him what’s wrong, he’ll dodge the question. It’ll take a lot of effort on your part to understand what triggered his behavior, to talk to him and reassure him gently, never too directly.  

- You’ll need to show him, through actions, that you haven’t left and don’t plan to before he starts acting normal again—becoming more physically affectionate when you’re alone.  

 Jinx:

- Jinx is possessive and jealous, living in constant fear of being both not enough and too much at the same time—of losing everything she has and being abandoned by anyone who can still leave her.  

- It’s in those rare moments when the buzzing behind her eyes quiets, when she’s at rest, that for a single second, just one fleeting instant, she allows herself to forget that fear.  

- And then, when you’re together, and someone pays you a compliment that makes you laugh, something snaps in her head.  

- Do you know them? Why are they so friendly? Why don’t you say something? Why did you stop walking? Walk, dammit, walk. Why are they touching your shoulder? Why don’t you stop them? Why don’t you stop them? WHY DON’T YOU STOP THEM.  

- The likelihood that the person who flirted with you ends up found the next day with a broken limb in a dumpster is extremely high.  

- But even that doesn’t calm her. When you get home, she isolates herself, spiraling into thoughts that maybe, if you could, you’d have gone with that person or followed them.  

- She’ll need lots of affirmation and both verbal and physical reassurance before she calms down.  

Vi:

- Her jealousy exists, it’s there, but she expresses it in a very straightforward way.  

- Having been forced to grow up too quickly and unable to throw tantrums because she was responsible for her siblings, her emotions have always been carefully bottled up and dealt with through questionable coping mechanisms.  

- Sure, having someone by her side now means she can’t go brawling in the streets, especially when the reason feels so trivial.  

- Usually, she doesn’t even pay much attention to it, but this time, exhaustion, stress, or a moment of vulnerability probably made the situation unbearable.  

- And as always, if you have questions no one can answer, the solution is probably at the bottom of a glass.  

- She doesn’t want to burden you with how she feels; it’s not even your fault, and she knows it’s stupid to feel this way. But when she’s forced to confront the idea that you may not a constant in her life, that maybe you want something better, something more—at that moment, she needs to get out, to scream, to punch something, with enough alcohol in her system to pass out in an alleyway.  

- She struggles to talk about it, hates making you responsible for her emotions, and hates that she has to make you worry when it’s not your fault.  

- When you bring it up and try to approach her with an attitude that makes her feel reassured, she has moments of being emotionally fragile, more vulnerable than usual.  

 Caitlyn:

- This woman is a lady killer—it’s sadly very normal for people to get jealous of her.  

- At work, during conferences, or noble meetings, she’s used to people flirting with her. That’s why, when she sees someone flirting with you, her first thought is that they might be making you uncomfortable.  

- If she sees you’re actually uncomfortable, she’ll personally step in to ensure the other person leaves.  

- If she doesn’t see you uncomfortable, she’ll observe you for a few minutes, becoming distracted and absent from her own conversations, lost in analyzing what she’s seeing. -However, she dislikes waiting to address issues, so expect her to ask if something is wrong between the two of you as soon as you’re home.  

- Caitlyn’s issue is that her thoughts ferment. If she doesn’t address the matter immediately, each day will make her mood worse, leading to unnecessary tension.  

- She might not shake off that strange feeling immediately and could remain distant until the next day, but it’s not punitive. Her emotions catch her off guard and make her colder unintentionally.  

- She’ll make up for it completely the following day.  

- She’ll also ensure she gets matching rings for both of you, so they can serve as a signal to others.  

 Mel:

- For Mel, jealousy is just bitterness.  

- She doesn’t show it. Her training in always appearing reliable and cordial means she’s adept at masking her feelings. So, when she sees someone flirting with you at a gala, her gaze lingers for just a few moments before she returns to smiling at her conversation partner.  

- A little passive-aggressive, with comments like “I saw you had fun” or “So, tell me about…”—but not meant to provoke you.  

- She’s the first to acknowledge that at meetings and galas, one must be adaptable, charming, smiley, and captivating. She knows that flirting is often part of the façade or just a small piece of a larger strategy, so what may sound like provocation is usually her way of asking what was on your mind.  

- Her bitter jealousy becomes stronger and more genuine when there’s no strategy, no deeper game, but the person continues attending events and spends all their time trying to flirt with you. In these cases, she won’t hesitate to interrupt with a firm, “Excuse us,” and lead you to the balcony.  

- No scene, no lecture—just a curt and slightly sad, “I only ask that you don’t make a fool of me.”  

- When reassured that there was never even the intention of doing so, she becomes almost an accomplice. Have fun (within limits), gather amusing or trivial information, and tell her all about it later when you’re alone under the sheets.  

 Sevika:

- Sorry to disappoint, but she’s the least jealous character here.  

- Her most stable relationships have all been at the brothel. If someone flirts with you, she’ll wait until the person leaves to comment on how slimy they were or how you seem to attract everyone without exception.  

- Zaun is precarious; her job is precarious; even staying alive is extremely precarious. She doesn’t have time for jealousy. To her, it wouldn’t make sense to get angry or even cause a scene just because someone flirts with you when she can’t be around much or offer you stability herself.  

- She knows perfectly well that her mechanical arm, her boss, her boss’s daughter, the drug use, and the dangerous work she does make her someone it’s hard to stay close to. But this doesn’t make her insecure—rather, it makes her grateful.  

- It’s your choice to stay by her side, and if you ever want to leave, she believes you should feel free to do so without fearing any outburst from her.  

- When you reassure her that you’d never betray, replace, or leave her, she pulls you close with one arm, kisses your forehead, and gives the faintest smile.  

- That said, if someone flirts too much and you complain about their persistence, Sevika will handle it diplomatically—by picking them up and slamming them against the wall in front of you, making sure the point sinks in effectively.